The Big Bang Fair

The national Big Bang Fair is the UK's largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people.

ICE is a key supporter at the fair, delivering a stand to showcase the diverse and exciting ways in which civil engineering creates and shapes the world around us.

The stand explores six areas of civil engineering - water, energy, transport, structures, and how the profession deals with waste and works underground. Visitors are encouraged to get involved in a range of technological activities and solve practical engineering problems in an interactive environment.

Making civil engineering stand out

In 2016 we met 3,000 young people, teachers and parents on our stand, and had over 100 engineers from different companies working with us. The young people who took part in our games and activities really learned a lot and enjoyed the experience. We know this because they spent a long time with us.

Big Bang 2017: calling civil engineering employers and volunteers

We're looking for more employers to partner with us, so we can keep inspiring tomorrow's engineers. If your company is interested in being part of our Big Bang experience, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at pre19@ice.org.uk to find out more.

Civil engineering competitions and activities for under 16s

Why not test your civil engineering skills to see how much you know and can do? There are lots of competitions and activities for you to take part in.

'I Love Civil Engineering' competition

Make a short video for the chance to win a GoPro camera for your school!

Think you're creative? Well, this is a great chance for you to show it.

We want you to make a film

It only needs to be 6 or 60 seconds long

Use your film to tell us what you love about civil engineering

To enter work in a team of 2-6 students, aged 5-19, to create either a 6-second Vine clip or a standard film up to 60 seconds long.

If you've got a question about the competition you can contact us at thisis@ice.org.uk

Our favourite entry in each of the three age categories (5-10, 11-14 and 15-19) will win a GoPro camera, so get shooting!

CREST Awards

CREST is a UK scheme that gives awards for success, skill-building and personal achievement in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) project work. There are four different levels: Discovery, Bronze, Silver, and Gold, and many other schemes and ideas.

TeenTech Awards

TeenTech Awards encourage young people aged 11-16 to develop their own ideas to make life better, simpler or easier. There are 12 innovation categories. They include wearable technology, safety and security, energy, entertainment, the future of food and the future of transport.

Teams of three compete for £1,000 prizes, certificates and badges in every category. There's also a Teacher of the Year, and winners get to meet TeenTech's patron, HRH Duke of York. Find out more on the TeenTech website.

National Science + Engineering Competition

The National Science + Engineering Competition rewards young people’s achievements in all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Engineering Encounters (Formerly WestPoint Bridge Competition)

Want to try designing a bridge?

The Engineering Encounters' Bridge Design Contest is an Internet-based competition that gives secondary school students a real-life introduction to engineering. You can enter on your own or with a partner – just download the software and start to design your truss bridge.

STEMNET

STEMNET shows young people why it's fun and important to learn about STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths).

There's lots of help available from STEMNET to:

Become a STEM ambassador – one of many volunteers who work with teachers to bring real-world examples of STEM into the classroom

Set up a STEM club – so more people can learn about the STEM subjects outside the classroom and the curriculum

Get support and information – for your school through the Schools STEM Advisory Network (SSAN)

Arrange visits – a STEM ambassador can visit your school or club

ICE works closely with STEMNET. We encourage all our volunteer ambassadors to register with STEMNET so they can get the right training, DBS checks and insurance.

If you want to register as a STEM ambassador, or arrange for someone to visit your school, please contact STEMNET.

Tomorrow's Engineers

Tomorrow's Engineers helps you learn about engineering and the exciting careers you could follow. It has information, events and activities for young people, parents and school teachers. So you can find out why it’s so great to work as an engineer.

Engineers are involved in almost every part of our everyday lives – including the places where we live, the roads and railways we travel on, the music we listen to, the TV we watch and the sports we play.

The Tomorrow's Engineers website is packed full of great resources to help you understand the different types of engineering and work out what interests you most. Tomorrow’s Engineers is mainly aimed at 11-14-year-olds, but there are also useful leaflets on apprenticeships, vocational courses and going to university.

Could you help bring civil engineering to life?

If you think you could help inspire children and students into considering a career in civil engineering, then we want to hear from you.

ICE staff and volunteers visit schools, colleges and universities across the country to help promote civil engineering and inspire the next generation of engineers. Find out how you can get involved and register your interest.

Thinking about a career in engineering?

If you're thinking about a career in engineering but aren't sure what subjects to study or how to start a career as a civil engineer or engineering technician, we're here to help. our Careers section is full of advice and information whatever your age.